Janhvi Kapoor Calls It ‘ICONIC’ as Sridevi-Chiranjeevi’s Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari set for theatrical re-release

Get ready for a wave of nostalgia! Sridevi and Chiranjeevi’s beloved 1990 Telugu classic Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari is making its grand return to theatres. Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the makers, Vyjayanthi Movies, announced that the film will be re-released on May 9 — exactly 35 years after its original premiere.

Vyjayanthi Movies broke the news on Instagram by unveiling a new poster, captioned, “From the era of classics… to the hearts of a new generation #JagadekaVeeruduAthilokaSundari re-releasing on May 9th in 2D & 3D.” Joining the excitement, Sridevi’s daughter, Janhvi Kapoor, shared the announcement on her Instagram story, calling the movie ‘Iconic.’

Released in 1990, Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari became a massive box office hit, grossing around ₹15 crore — a remarkable figure for its time. The fantasy drama starred not only Sridevi and Chiranjeevi but also featured Amrish Puri, Kannada Prabhakar, Allu Ramalingaiah, and Rami Reddy in key supporting roles.

In a past interview, producer Ashwini Dutt revealed plans that were once discussed about a potential sequel. While there were rumours of Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor starring in a follow-up, Dutt later dismissed them as mere speculation. The sequel topic has remained quiet since then.

Dutt also shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits, including the lead actors’ salaries. Chiranjeevi was reportedly paid ₹35 lakh, while Sridevi received ₹25 lakh — an impressive paycheck at a time when her popularity rivaled top heroes.

The story of Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari centers around a man who stumbles upon a magical ring, only to be caught up in a celestial adventure when a goddess comes to retrieve it. Directed by K. Raghavendra Rao and co-written by Jandhyala and Yandamuri Veerendranath, the film became the highest-grossing Telugu movie of its time and won five Nandi Awards.

Affectionately known as JVAS, which translates to Universal Hero and Otherworldly Beauty, the film remains a timeless gem that continues to charm audiences across generations.